Do or Die

Kawaki thinks back on Amado's proposal to gift him a fresh Kāma, while Ada guesses the scientist never truly offered a choice, quietly returning the mark alongside his rebuilt arm because he knew Kawaki would crave more strength. Code reaches the same read, concluding Amado wanted them to awaken that power, and Shikamaru, listening in, realizes Code is not acting alone. Momoshiki, thrown by the new Kāma, chalks it up to Amado's plotting and taunts Kawaki, warning he will be used by others until he is thrown to the Ten-Tails.

Kawaki answers by turning Isshiki's jutsu on Momoshiki, techniques both Naruto and Code recognize at once. When Naruto voices concern, Kawaki brushes him aside, coldly noting that Shikamaru remains a hostage he barely cares about, and vows to do whatever the situation demands for Naruto's sake. The two combatants trade and absorb one another's ninjutsu as Kawaki wields Sukunahikona and Daikokuten. Boruto's own will starts to surface even as Kawaki skewers Momoshiki with chakra rods and tries to crush him with cubes, forcing Naruto to intervene and pull Boruto clear.

Naruto has reached his limit and demands to know whether Kawaki truly intends to kill Boruto. Kawaki insists it must be done, framing Momoshiki as a demon bent on murdering Naruto through his own son, and shrugs off Naruto's accusation that he is behaving like a demon himself. He argues the real problem is that Naruto cannot bring himself to act, so Kawaki will. Then Boruto stirs awake, startling Momoshiki, and admits Amado's drugs only half worked and nearly cost Naruto his life. Resigned, Boruto confirms he and Kawaki must resort to their last plan. He pushes Naruto away with Wind Release: Gale Palm, asks that his love reach Hinata and Himawari, and tells Kawaki to strike while he can still restrain Momoshiki. Kawaki reshapes his arm and drives it through Boruto's chest, leaving Naruto screaming for his fallen student.

Ada and Code deduce that Amado deliberately engineered Kawaki's new Kāma. Shikamaru confirms Code has an accomplice. Kawaki battles the Momoshiki-controlled Boruto using Isshiki's abilities, Sukunahikona, and Daikokuten. Boruto briefly regains control and accepts that Amado's drugs are no lasting fix. Boruto shoves Naruto aside and orders Kawaki to act. Kawaki punches through Boruto's chest as his final measure against Momoshiki.

This entry is part of the Boruto manga's Code's Assault arc and was collected in Volume 17, with the V Jump serialization noted in the chapter data. Viz published it as Do-or-Die. The finish marks one of the series' most pivotal turns for both Boruto and Kawaki.